Wire and cord winding machine



Aug. 26, 1969 E. MCCA JR" ET AL 3,463,412

WIRE AND CORD WINDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1967 m. 0ON mq EV a Q Q 8 Nm mv 8 wv a .m o

INVENTURS JOHN F. KURSEVICH EDMUND MCCAF RAY,JR. BY

ATTORNEY Aug. E MCCAFFRAY, JR ET AL WIRE AND CORD WINDING MACHINE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1967 FIG.2

INVENTORS FIG. 8

Aug. 26, 1969 E. M CAFFRAY, JR, ET AL 3,463,412

WIRE AND CORD WINDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTORS 30 JOHN F. KURSEVICH FIG. 7 EDMUND MC CAFFR Y,JR.

United States Patent 3,463,412 WIRE AND CORD WINDING MACHINE EdmundMcCaffray, Jr., and John F. Kursevich, both of 2800 Sisson St.,Baltimore, Md. 21211 Filed Nov. 9, 1967, Ser. No. 681,827 Int. Cl. B21f17/00 US. Cl. 242--7.19 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatusfor wrapping a wire or cord around the handle of a broom, mop, dusterand the like and head to attach the head to the handle, having a hollowpower rotated spindle for receiving the handle therethrough, a chuck atone end of the spindle for gripping the said handle, a series of pulleysfor guiding a wire or cord from a storage reel to the vicinity of therotating spindle and a number of fluid pressure actuated devices foroperating a clutch between the source of power and rotating spindle andfor braking the latter and for operating the spindle chuck andcontrolling the tension in the wire or cord.

This invention relates to a winding machine for winding a wire or cordabout the handle of a broom, mop, duster and the like and moreparticularly to such a machine in which all the necessary operations arepower actuated thus relieving the operator of the necessity ofperforming these operations manually, and allowing operator to work fromsitting position.

In the manufacture of brooms, mops, dusters and the like, it iscustomary to fasten the handle to the head by winding a wire or cordaround the handle and head. As the latter is made up of a great numberof individual strands or bristles which must be tightly held together asa unit at the end attached to the handle to prevent their undoing, it isof prime necessity that the winding be tightly and accurately done andthat all operations necssary to accomplish this be within easy andaccurate control of the operator.

Applicant accordingly provides a machine which has a hollow spindle anda chuck on the spindle for gripping the handle and guide pulleys forleading the wire which is to be wrapped about the broom from a reel tothe place of application of the wire to the broom. All necessaryoperational steps, such as application of power to the spindle to rotatethe same, release of the chuck, tension of the wire or cord, etc. arewithin easy control of the operator and are fluid pressure actuatedpreferably AIA so as to relieve the operator of as much manual effort aspossible in the operation of the machine.

It is one object therefore to provide such a machine which is easy tooperate and requires a minimum of manual effort on the part of theoperator.

It is another object to provide a machine which is simple inconstruction, easy to service and relatively foolproof.

It is still another object to provide a machine which may be operated byrelatively unskilled persons and which requires a minimum of time tolearn to operate.

Another object is to allow operator to work from a sitting position.

The above and other objects will become more apparent as thisdescription proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming a part of this specification, and showing a preferred embodimentof the inven tion.

In said drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a broom winding machineaccording to my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation thereof;

3,463,412 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 FIGURE 3 is a detail view of the wireor cord tensioning means;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view of the machine show ing details of thepower drive train for the spindle;

FIGURE 5 is a detail of the brake mechanism operating on the spindle,taken substantially along line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the chuck showing the samein gripping position;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 showing the chuck in releaseposition;

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid pressure circuit andoperators for the various parts of the machine; and

FIGURES 9 and 10 show details of a broom in several stages of completionas it would appear on the machine as it is being wound.

Referring to the drawing in more detail, the machine consists of acabinet 10 which houses the drive mechanism, reduction gearing andsubstantially the bulk of the power driven components of the device.

Projecting laterally from one side of the cabinet is a table like plate11 which is supported at its free end on a vertical plate column 12. Afoot plate 13 extends from the cabinet and also fastens to the column 12below the plate 11 and somewhat above the level. of the floor.

The drive mechanism within the cabinet 10 consists of an electric motoror equivalent prime mover 14 which drives counter shaft 15 throughpulley :and belt drive 16, while the counter shaft in turn drives themain spindle 17 through chain 9. The pulley and chain drives between themotor and main spindle are one of many types of drive mechanism whichcould be used and are shown for purposes of illustration only. Theirmain purpose is to provide speed reduction between the motor and mainspindle and it is evident that any equivalent drive means which resultsin the proper speed for the main spindle may be employed.

The main spindle 17 is hollow and is adapted to receive the handle 18 ofa broom therein.

Spindle 17 is mounted for rotation on bearings 17' and 17" on fixedportions of the cabinet.

One end of the hollow main spindle is provided with an actuator member19 which is reciprocable within the spindle but is non-rotatable withrespect thereto due to the screw 18 threaded into the actuator andextending through a longitudinal slot 20 in the spindle.

Surrounding the spindle adjacent the slot 20 is an outer collar 21 intowhich screw 18' is threaded, thus actuator 19 and the outer collar 21are rigid with respect to each other and movement of the collar 21 alongthe spindle 17 will produce similar movement of the actuator 19 withinthe spindle.

A conical counterbore 22 is formed in one end of the actuator 19 and acontractable conical jaw or gripping member 23 is located in thiscounterbore.

The end of spindle 17 is provided with a cap member 24 which is threadedat 25 into spindle 17 and forms an abutment for the gripping member 23.

The actuator member 19 is normally urged toward the gripping member andcap 24 by spring 26 and thus the gripping member is normally held incontracted condition with a broom handle positioned within the grippingmember and would be held thereby. The force exerted by spring 26 may beadjusted by plug 27 screwed into the opposite end of the spindle member17 in which the plug forms an adjustable abutment for the spring.

As above stated the chuck or gripping member 23 is normally held ingripping position but is releasable .for insertion or withdrawal of abroom or other handle by an air pressure piston and cylinder operator 28pivoted between a fixed bracket 29 within the cabinet member and one endof a lever 30 pivoted to a fixed bracket 31. The other end of the leveris operatively associated with collar 21 at 32, whereby pressure appliedto the closed end of the cylinder and piston will pivot the lever andshift collar 21 with associated actuator 18 to release the chuck.

The motor, or prime mover 14, is provided with a clutch (not shown) sothat the machine may be stopped without stopping the motor. This clutchis actuated by a fluid pressure piston and cylinder 33 somewhat similarto operator 28 for the chuck. The piston and cylinder 33 is pivoted atone end to a bracket 34 fixed within the cabinet and pivoted at itsother end 35 to a clutch operator lever 36. The piston and cylinder 33however is double acting so as to positively engage and disengage themotor clutch (see FIG. 8).

The main spindle 17 is provided with a brake means (see FIG. 5) whichwill hold the spindle from rotation when applied. This brake is composedof a brake drum 37 on the spindle and a brake shoe 38 mounted on apivoted lever 39 and actuated by cylinder and piston means 40 pivoted tothe lever at 41 and to a fixed point 42 in the casing or housing. Thecylinder and piston means 40 is preferable double acting (see FIG. 8)similar to piston and cylinder 33 operating the clutch, so as topositively engage or disengage the brake when so operated.

A tensioning member for the wire W is mounted on the table like plate 11and consists of a pulley like member 43 rotatably mounted on a shaft 44below the plate '11. Shaft 44 projects upwardly through an opening inplate 11 to a point above the plate and a spring 45 rests against plate11 and surrounds this upwardly extending portion. A wing nut 46 isthreaded on the upper end of the shaft to afford adjustment of thecompression in the spring. The pulley 43 is thus urged upwardly by thespring and abuts the lower surface of plate 11 to provide a brakingeffect on the pulley.

A piston and cylinder operator 47 is connected at 48 to the lower end ofshaft 44 and to foot plate 13 at 49 and functions to pull the shaftdownwardly against the compression in spring 45 to release pulley 43from frictional contact with the lower surface of plate 11 and thusallow pulley 43 to rotate freely on shaft 44.

Mounted on the end of cabinet 10 is a bracket member 50, while a similarbracket 51 is mounted on a plate 52 rigidly connected to the plate likepedestal 12. These brackets are mounted on bolts 53 and 54 on thecabinet and plate 52 respectively which latter bolts form pivots toallow for angular adjustment of the brackets in vertical planes. To holdthe brackets in fixed adjusted positions bolts 55 and 56 through arcuateslots 57 and 58 are provided which later may be tightened.

A shaft 59 is mounted through openings 60 and 61 in brackets 50 and 51respectively and serves as a support for guide pulley 62 mountedthereon. The series of openings 60 and 61 afford adjustment of the shaft59 along the brackets.

A series of guide pulleys 65, 66, 67 and 68 are mounted at variouspoints on the machine for guiding the wire or cord to be wrapped on thebroom as it is fed from coil 63 supported on reel 64. The pulley 65 islocated at the top corner of the cabinet and pulleys 66 at the rear ofthe cabinet and pulleys 67 and 68 under the plate 11.

The wire or cord from the coil 63 on the reels lead up and over pulley65, then down to pass between pulleys 66 at the rear of the cabinet,then over pulley 67, then wrapped one or more turns around brakingpulley 43, then over pulley 68, then up and over pulley 62 and finallydown to a position to be wrapped around the broom.

FIGURE 8 diagrammatically illustrates the fluid pressure circuitconnecting the various cylinder and piston operators previouslymentioned. Fluid under pressure is admitted through the cut-off valve Vto the supply line 69 which is connected to three separate valves 70, 71

and 72. The valve 70 controls the flow of fluid into the cylinder andpiston operator 47 which controls the tension release on pulley 43;valve 71 controls the chuck release operator 28 on the main spindle; andvalve 72 simultaneously controls the clutch release on the motor and thebrake on the main spindle. This latter valve 72 and the operatorsconnected thereto are so arranged that when operated to release themotor clutch the brake will be applied and vice versa.

The valves 70, 71 and '72 are located on the machine so as to be Withineasy access of the operator, for example, the valves 70 and 71 may belocated on the foot plate 13 to be operated by the feed of the operator,while valve 72 may be located on the side of the cabinet to be.accessible to the knee of the operator. Obviously any other arrangementof these valves may be had as desired, so that machine may be operatedby paraplegic, blind and otherwise handicapped person.

In operating the machine the end of the wire or cord W is attached tothe broom handle 18 and bundles of bristles or straws 73 are positionedagainst the sides of the handle 18 as the spindle 17 is rotated (asshown in FIG. 9). Such bundles of straws, bristles, etc. may bepositioned all around the handle so as to completely enclose the same asthe winding progresses shown in FIG- URE 10, and the wire wrapped aboutthe straws or other materials and handle in the amount necessary tosecurely fasten the straws to the handle. All operations, such ascontrolling the tension in the wire or cord or tightness of the wrappingof the wire or cord, starting and stopping, releasing the tension, etc.are all within the easy control of the operator of the machine.

Having thus described a preferred form of the invention, it is to beunderstood that I do not desire to be limited specifically thereto butdesire to include all modifications and equivalents as fairly fallwithin the spirit of the invention and as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A winding machine for winding a wire or cord about the handle of abroom, mop, duster and the like, comprising in combination:

(a) a rotatable hollow spindle adapted to receive a handle elementtherethrough and a source of power for rotating said spindle;

(b) a chuck means in the spindle for gripping the handle;

(c) guide pulley means for guiding a wire to be wrapped about the handlefrom a source of supply to the handle gripped in the sprindle chuck;

(d) adjustable friction braking means associated with the guide pulleymeans for applying tension to the wire as it is being wrapped about thehandle;

(e) braking means for stopping the spindle;

(f) air pressure means associated with the chuck for releasing the same;

(g) means associated with the wire or cord friction guide pulley andadjustable friction means for selectively releasing the tension on thewire.

2. A winding machine for winding a wire or cord about the handle of abroom, mop, duster and the like, as defined in claim 1:

(a) said spindle chuck means having an outer tapered portion;

(b) an actuator member in the spindle having a tapered portioncooperating with the outer tapered portion of the spindle chuck means;

(c) a spring within the spindle acting against the operator member forurging the two tapered portions together and thus cause contraction ofthe spindle chuck means; and means for releasing the spindle chuck meansby acting on the actuator member to move the same away from the spindlechuck means against the pressure of the spring.

3. A winding machine for winding a wire or cord about the handle of abroom, mop, duster and the like as de- 5 6 fined in claim 1 in which theadjustable friction braking 4. The structure defined in claim 1 in whichsaid Wire means associated with the cord or wire guide pulley or cordguide pulley means comprises a series of pulleys means comprises: and inwhich the braking means is associated with at (a) a pulley; least one ofthe series. (b) a shaft rotatably mounting said pulley, said shaft 5extending thru a fixed portion of the machine; References Cited (C) aspring associated with the rotatable pulley bar U I STATES P T S urgingthe same 1nto fr1 ct1onal contact wlth said fixed 2,251,205 7/1941 Revel242 7 01 XR portion of the machme, (d) an adjustment nut threaded on theshaft and form- 5 01131 4/1951 Wodetsky 242 7'19 ing an adjustableabutment for the spring to my 10 3,169,301 2/1965 Fletcher et al. 2427.0s XR the compression in the latter, in which the fluid pressure meansfor releasing the braking means acts on BILLY TAYLOR: Pnmary Exammer theshaft against the pressure of the spring to release the pulley fromfrictional contact with said fixed 15 portion of the machine. 57-1l;242l55; 30014

